[Sheflug] 1 Billion for IT

[Richard Ibbotson <xxxxx [at] xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Dear all

As there have been many times on this when the issue of the cost of
software has been raised and the other things to do with Linux in
schools are also discussed I thought that this would be the place to
send some mail about Government spending on IT projects... from
today's Computing trade paper..

" Chancellor of  the Exchequer Gordon Brown has earmarked an extra
£1bn for Government IT projects in the Comprehensive Spending Review.
The biggest increase in public spending in 30 years sees technology
at the heart of plans to modernise the public sector and bring
service levels in line with European rivals.  Issues singled out for
IT budget increases include, education, benefits payments, local
government, customs and excise and small business services.  The
biggest single winner is the criminal justice system - an extra £650m
over three years to streamline case management takes the project's
total budget to nearly £1bn.  ....

it goes on to say...

These figures do not include the extra £1bn for NHS IT announced in
April's budget.  Extra commitment to technology investment is
positive, but effectiveness may suffer without a clear strategic
framework says CBI head of ebusiness Jeremy Beale."  Pages 4 and 5
say more.


Seems to me that only the word Microsoft has been mentioned ? 
 Perhaps someone should explain something about Linux to our Jeremy ?
 Or, is he just the kind of Jeremy that people take him to be ?

Thanks




--
Richard





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